Recording medium having data structure for manging reproduction of still pictures recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses

ABSTRACT

The recording medium includes a data structure with at least one playlist file stored in a playlist area of the recording medium. The playlist file includes at least one playitem, at least one sub-playitem and mark information. The playitem provides navigation information for reproducing at least one still picture from a first file. The sub-playitem is associated with the playitem and provides navigation information for reproducing audio data from a second file. The mark information includes at least one mark pointing to the still picture.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/759,461 filed on Jan. 20, 2004, the entirety of which hereby isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a recording medium having a datastructure for managing reproduction of at least still pictures recordedthereon as well as methods and apparatuses for reproduction andrecording.

2. Description of the Related Art

The standardization of new high-density read only and rewritable opticaldisks capable of recording large amounts of high-quality video and audiodata has been progressing rapidly and new optical disk related productsare expected to be commercially available in the near future. TheBlu-ray Disc Rewritable (BD-RE) and Blu-ray Disk ROM (BD-ROM) areexamples of these new optical disks.

While the standard for BD-RE has been published, the standardization forhigh-density read-only optical disks such as the Blu-ray ROM (BD-ROM) isstill under way. Consequently, an effective data structure for managingreproduction of still pictures recorded on the high-density read-onlyoptical disk such as a BD-ROM is not yet available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The recording medium according to the present invention includes a datastructure for managing reproduction of at least still pictures recordedon the recording medium.

In one exemplary embodiment, a playlist area stores at least oneplaylist file, and the playlist file includes at least one playitem, atleast one sub-playitem and mark information. The playitem providesnavigation information for reproducing at least one still picture from afirst file. The sub-playitem is associated with the playitem andprovides navigation information for reproducing audio data from a secondfile. The mark information includes at least one mark pointing to thestill picture.

In another exemplary embodiment, the recording medium includes a dataarea and a playlist area. The data area stores at least one clip file,and the clip file includes presentation data. The presentation dataincludes at least one still picture and related data associated with thestill picture. The playlist area stores at least one playlist file, andthe playlist file includes playlist mark information. The playlist markinformation including at least one mark pointing to the still picture.

In the above-described embodiments, the mark may include a mark typeindicator indicating that the mark is of a type used for pointing to astill picture.

Also, in the above-described embodiments, the mark may include a marktype indicator indicating that the mark is of a type that provides apoint to skip to when displaying a slideshow of still pictures.

The present invention further provides apparatuses and methods forrecording and reproducing the data structure according to the presentinvention, and recording and reproducing slide shows according to thepresent invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above features and other advantages of the present invention will bemore clearly understood from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a recording medium file ordata structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a recording medium having the datastructure of FIG. 1 stored thereon;

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed embodiment of portions of the datastructure in FIG. 1 and method of managing still images for ahigh-density recording medium;

FIG. 4 illustrates one example of a still image file;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the relationship between a playlist andat least one clip file according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a detailed embodiment of portions of the datastructure in FIG. 1 and a method for managing still images of ahigh-density recording medium according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates physical allocation of transport streams includingstill picture on a high-density optical disk recording medium;

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of a partial structure of anoptical disc apparatus where the present invention is applied; FIG. 10illustrates a detailed structure of a first embodiment of an opticaldisc apparatus where the present invention is applied;

FIG. 11 is a detailed structure of a second embodiment of an opticaldisc apparatus where the present invention is applied;

FIG. 12 illustrates another detailed embodiment of portions of the datastructure in FIG. 1 and method of managing still images for ahigh-density recording medium;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a portion of a playlist fie structureaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the data structure for managingreproduction of still images during a skip operation when reproducing amovie AV stream;

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 16 illustrate examples of the data structure formanaging reproduction of still images for slideshows; and

FIG. 17 illustrates an optical disc recording and reproducing apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In order that the invention may be fully understood, exemplaryembodiments thereof will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

A high-density recording medium such as a high density optical disk, forexample, a Blu-Ray ROM (BD-ROM), BD-RE, etc. in accordance with theinvention may have a file or data structure for managing reproduction ofvideo and audio data as shown in FIG. 1. Some aspects of the datastructure according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 are thesame as the well-known BD-RE standard, as such these aspects will bereviewed, but not described in great detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the root directory contains at least one BDdirectory. The BD directory includes general files (not shown), aPLAYLIST directory in which playlist files (e.g., *.mpls) are stored, aCLIPINF directory in which clip information files (*.clpi) are stored,and a STREAM directory in which MPEG2-formatted A/V stream clip files(*.m2ts), corresponding to the clip information files, are stored.

The STREAM directory includes MPEG2-formatted A/V stream files calledclip streams files or just clip files. The A/V stream includes sourcepackets of video and audio data. For example, a source packet of videodata includes a header and a transport packet. A source packet includesa source packet number, which is generally a sequentially assignednumber that serves as an address for accessing the source packet.Transport packets include a packet identifier (PID). The PID identifiesthe sequence of transport packets to which a transport packet belongs.Each transport packet in the sequence will have the same PID.

The CLIPINF directory includes a clip information file associated witheach A/V stream file. The clip information file indicates, among otherthings, the type of A/V stream associated therewith, sequenceinformation, program information and timing information. The sequenceinformation describes the arrival time basis (ATC) and system time basis(STC) sequences. For example, the sequence information indicates, amongother things, the number of sequences, the beginning and ending timeinformation for each sequence, the address of the first source packet ineach sequence and the PID of the transport packets in each sequence. Asequence of source packets in which the contents of a program isconstant is called a program sequence. The program informationindicates, among other things, the number of program sequences, thestarting address for each program sequence, and the PID(s) of transportpackets in a program sequence.

The timing information is referred to as characteristic pointinformation (CPI). One form of CPI is the entry point (EP) map. The EPmap maps a presentation time stamp (e.g., on an arrival time basis (ATC)and/or a system time basis (STC)) to a source packet address (i.e.,source packet number). The presentation time stamp (PTS) and the sourcepacket number (SPN) are related to an entry point in the AV stream;namely, the PTS and its related SPN point to an entry point on the AVstream. The packet pointed to is often referred to as the entry pointpacket.

The PLAYLIST directory includes one or more playlist files. The conceptof a playlist has been introduced to promote ease of editing/assemblingclips for playback. A playlist file is a collection of playing intervalsin the clips. Each playing interval is referred to as a playitem. Theplaylist file, among other things, identifies each playitem forming theplaylist, and each playitem, among other things, is a pair of IN-pointand OUT-point that point to positions on a time axis of the clip file(e.g., presentation time stamps on an ATC or STC basis). The playlistfile may also include sub-playitems that also provide a pair of IN-pointand OUT-point that point to positions on a time axis of a clip file.Expressed another way, the playlist file identifies playitems andsub-playitems, each playitem or sub-playitem points to a clip file orportion thereof and identifies the clip information file associated withthe clip file. The clip information file is used, among other things, tomap the playitems to the clip file of source packets. Playlists may alsoinclude playlist marks which point to specific places (e.g., a specificaddress) in a clip file

The general information files (not shown) provide general informationfor managing the reproduction of the A/V streams recorded on the opticaldisk.

In addition to illustrating the data structure of the recording mediumaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 representsthe areas of the recording medium. For example, the general informationfiles are recorded in one or more general information areas, theplaylist directory is recorded in one or more playlist directory areas,each playlist in a playlist directory is recorded in one or moreplaylist areas of the recording medium, etc. FIG. 2 illustrates anexample of a recording medium having the data structure of FIG. 1 storedthereon. As shown, the recording medium includes a file systeminformation area, a data base area and an A/V stream area. The data basearea includes a general information file and playlist information areaand a clip information area. The general information file and playlistinformation area have the general information files recorded in ageneral information file area thereof, and the PLAYLIST directory andplaylist files recorded in a playlist information area thereof. The clipinformation area has the CLIPINFO directory and associated clipinformation files recorded therein. The A/V stream area has the A/Vstreams for the various titles recorded therein.

Video and audio data are typically organized as individual titles; forexample, different movies represented by the video and audio data areorganized as different titles. Furthermore, a title may be organizedinto individual chapters in much the same way a book is often organizedinto chapters.

Because of the large storage capacity of the newer, high-densityrecording media such as BD-ROM and BD-RE optical disks, differenttitles, various versions of a title or portions of a title may berecorded, and therefore, reproduced from the recording media. Forexample, video data representing different camera angles may be recordedon the recording medium. As another example, versions of title orportions thereof associated with different languages may be recorded onthe recording medium. As a still further example, a director's versionand a theatrical version of a title may be recorded on the recordingmedium. Or, an adult version, young adult version and young childversion (i.e., different parental control versions) of a title orportions of a title may be recorded on the recording medium. Eachversion, camera angle, etc. represents a different reproduction path,and the video data in these instances is referred to as multiplereproduction path video data.

Because of the large storage capacity of the newer, high-densityrecording media such as BD-ROM still images or pictures may be recordedand reproduced in an organized and/or user interactive fashion, forexample, as slideshows. The data structure for managing reproduction ofstill pictures for a high-density recording medium in accordance withembodiments of the present invention will be described along withmethods and apparatuses according to embodiments of the presentinvention for recording and reproducing still images.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a data structure and method ofmanaging still images for a high-density recording medium in accordancewith the invention. A plurality of still images or pictures are storedin an individual still image file on a high-density recording medium,such as a BD-ROM, and a playlist includes navigation information forplayback control of the still images.

The navigation information of the playlist is also associated with movievideo or audio data recorded in a particular area of a clip A/V stream.The playlist indicates at what points in the movie video or audio datato reproduce a still picture. Namely, the playlist links the clip A/Vstream with the still image file. The playlist may also provide aduration for displaying each still picture, or this information may besupplied by a clip information file. The duration may be finite orinfinite.

When, based on reproduction of the playlist, a reproducing apparatusfinds that a still image is associated with movie video or audio dataduring reproduction of the movie video or audio data, the reproducingapparatus obtains the still image from the still image file. Thereproducing apparatus then performs a still operation to display thestill image for a limited duration or indefinitely based on thepresentation duration information for the still image. When anindefinite duration is indicated, the still picture is displayed untiluser input is received.

As will be appreciated from the above and following disclosure, stillimages may be displayed as a sequential slideshow, a random/shuffleslideshow, or a browsable slideshow. A sequential slideshow involves thereproduction of still images having limited duration in the order setforth by the playlist. This reproduction of the still images may alsooccur in synchronized reproduction with audio data. A browsable slideshow involves reproduction of still images having infinite duration inan order set forth by the playlist. Reproduction proceeds to a previousor subsequent still image based on user input. A random/shuffleslideshow is a form of sequential or browsable slideshow in which theorder to reproduce the still images is randomized.

FIG. 4 illustrates one example of a still image file. In this example, astill image or a group of still images form a presentation unit. Apresentation unit may be formed, for example, of still images having acommon presentation attribute. For example in FIG. 4, still images #1˜#kthat have the same presentation duration (duration #1) are grouped intopresentation unit #1 and still images #k+1˜#n that have the samepresentation duration (duration #2) are grouped into presentation unit#2. While duration has been given as an example of a presentationattribute, it will be understood that the present invention is notlimited to this example.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the relationship between a playlist andat least one clip file according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 5, the playlist includes navigationinformation for playback control of a first and second presentation unit(e.g., the first and second presentation unit illustrated in FIG. 4). Aplayitem included in the playlist is used for playback control of astill picture stream and related data such as graphic & subtitlestreams. A sub-playitem included in the playlist is used for playbackcontrol of audio data associated with the still images. As shown, theaudio data is recorded in a separate file from the still picture andrelated data, and is therefore not included in the related data. Theaudio data may be reproduced in either a synchronized or unsychronizedfashion with the associated still images.

The playlist also includes a playlist mark, called hereinafter a stillpicture group mark (SPG_mark), for each of the presentation units. Astill picture group mark SPG_mark points to the beginning of apresentation unit, which includes one or more still images.

The still picture stream and the related data streams (e.g., the graphic& subtitle streams) are packetized into Packetized Elementary Stream(PES) packets on a still image basis. Namely, each PES packet of thestill picture stream includes a single still picture. The PES packetsare encoded into MPEG2 transport packets and then multiplexed into atransport stream. This will be described in greater detail with respectto the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7.

Navigation information for linked reproduction of a still image andgraphic & subtitle data associated with the still image is recorded inthe PES packets of the still image and the associated graphic & subtitledata. As shown in FIG. 5, a unique picture ID corresponding to thepicture number of a still image may be included in the PES packet of thestill image and the PES packets of the associated graphic & subtitle.

A reproducing apparatus may effectively perform playback control ofstill images of presentation units grouped using the still picture groupmarks (SPG_marks) included in the playlist. Also, the reproducingapparatus performs linked playback of a still image and graphic &subtitle associated with the still image by detecting the unique pictureID of the still image. During reproduction of the still pictures andrelated data, the reproducing apparatus further reproduces an audiostream indicated by the sub-playitem.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an embodiment of a data structure and methodfor managing still images of a high-density recording medium such as aBD-ROM similar to that described above with respect to Fig. 5. The mostnotable difference being that the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 does notinclude presentation units.

As shown in FIG. 6, the still picture stream and the related datastreams (e.g., the graphic & subtitle streams) are packetized into PESpackets on a still image basis. Namely, each PES packet of the stillpicture stream includes a single still picture, and the associated PESpackets of the related data include the related data associated with thestill picture (e.g., for reproduction in synchronization with theassociated still picture). The still picture together with related datato be reproduced in synchronization therewith are grouped into a stillpicture unit. On a still picture unit basis, the still picture streamand related data streams are multiplexed into a still picture file ofMPEG2 transport streams.

FIG. 6 further shows a clip information file corresponding to the stillpicture file. The clip information file includes an entry point map(EP_MAP). Individual entry points (EP #1˜#k) in the EP map containrespective navigation information for accessing a head recordingposition of a corresponding still picture unit. The navigationinformation, for example, includes source packet number entry pointstart (SPN_EP_Start) information indicating the start recording positionof the corresponding still picture unit.

FIG. 7 illustrates a playlist for play control of the still picture filediscussed above with respect to FIG. 6. As shown, a playitem (PlayItem)in the playlist contains in-picture (IN_picture) information andout-picture (OUT_picture) information corresponding respectively to thestart position and end position of the still images in the still picturefile to reproduce. A sub-playitem (SubPlayItem) in the playlist containssub-playitem in-time (SubPlayItem_IN_time) information and sub-playitemout-time (SubPlayItem_OUT_time) information for a separate audio file tobe reproduced in association with the still picture file. The audio datamay be reproduced in either a synchronized or unsychronized fashion withthe associated still images.

The playlist further includes a playlist mark, referred to hereinafteras still mark, pointing to each still picture. The presentation durationinformation for the still picture and related data included in a stillpicture unit may be recorded in the still mark corresponding to thestill picture unit. Alternatively or additionally, the presentationduration information may be contained in the playitem.

The still marks are particularly useful when skipping between picturesduring a browsable slideshow. It will further be appreciated that thestill picture file or portions thereof can be simultaneously associatedwith a number of playlists with presentation durations different fromeach other.

FIG. 8 illustrates the physical allocation of the MPEG2 transport streamon, for example, an optical disk. As shown, each portion of the MPEG2transport stream corresponding to a still picture unit is recorded inalignment with a physical recording unit, such as an error correctioncode block (ECC Block) unit or sector unit, of the optical disk. Forexample, if the recording size of the transport stream corresponding toa second still picture unit does not fill the physical recording unit,the unfilled region is filled or stuffed with null data.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of a partial structure of anoptical disc apparatus where the present invention is applied. As shown,the optical disc apparatus includes an optical pickup 111 forreproducing data from the an optical disk. A VDP (Video Disc Play)system 112 controls the reproduction operation of the optical pickup 111and demodulates the data reproduced by the optical pickup 111. The VDP112 produces an AV stream, which may also be fed to a D/A converter 13to generate an analog version of the AV stream.

The VDP system 112 controls the optical pickup 111 and demodulates thereproduced data based on user input received from a user interface andthe navigation and management information recorded on the optical diskin accordance with the present invention. For example, the VDP system112 makes reference to still marks included in a playlist and an entrypoint map included in a clip information file as described above toreproduce a still picture file. Namely, the VDP system 112 reads out astill picture, graphic data, and subtitle data of each still pictureunit according to the order of entry points (EP #1, #2, . . . ) recordedin the entry point map. Then, the VDP system 112 conducts a series ofoperations for reproducing slideshows, which may be reproduced for afixed time duration according to the presentation duration informationincluded in the still marks or reproduced in the form of skippedreproduction in units of the still picture unit corresponding to each ofthe still marks according to the key input of the user.

As shown in FIG. 10, the VDP system 112 may comprise a switch 120, trackbuffer 121, TS DEMUX 122, video buffer 123, graphic buffer 124, subtitlebuffer 125, audio buffer 126, video decoder 127, graphic decoder 128,subtitle decoder 129, audio decoder 130, PCR counter 131, andmicrocomputer 132.

The microcomputer 132 controls the operation of the switch 120 accordingto the key input of a user or presentation duration information, therebyselectively feeding a still picture (V), graphic data (G), and subtitledata (ST) into the track buffer 121. The TS DEMUX 122 makes reference tothe packet ID (PID) of the data stream temporarily stored in the trackbuffer and distributes still picture data, graphic data, and subtitledata into the video buffer 123, graphic buffer 124, and subtitle buffer125, respectively.

The video decoder 127 decodes the still picture data, the graphicdecoder 128 decodes the graphic data, and the subtitle decoder 129decodes the subtitle data. As a result, a single still picture andrelated graphic and subtitle data are reproduced.

Similarly, the microcomputer 132 controls the operation of the switch120 and selectively feeds audio data (A) read out from an optical discinto the track buffer 121. The TS DEMUX 122 makes reference to thepacket ID (PID) of the audio data stream temporarily stored in the trackbuffer, thereby separating the audio data into the audio buffer 126.

The audio decoder 130 decodes and outputs the decoded audio data. Atthis stage, the presentation time stamp (PTS) information separated bythe TS DEMUX 121 is fed into the audio decoder 130. Also, the PCRcounter 131 counts a program clock reference (PCR) information separatedfrom the TS DEMUX 121 and the PCR count value is fed into the audiodecoder 130. Because the use of PTSs and PCRs is well-known in the art,their inclusion in the data recorded on the optical disk has not beendescribed in detail.

The audio decoder 130 reproduces the audio data when the PCR count valuecoincides with the PTS value. The PCR count value and PTS value are fedonly into the audio decoder 130, thereby controlling the time of audioreproduction.

Accordingly, the optical disc apparatus, by making common use of theswitch 120, track buffer 121, and TS DEMUX 122, can normally conductslideshow operations of reproducing a still picture file and audio filerecorded separately in a read-only Blu-ray disc in association with eachother.

FIG. 11 illustrates another detailed embodiment of the VDP system 112.This embodiment is the same as the embodiment of FIG. 10 except forfurther including a PTS adder 133 and associated connections thereto. Asdescribed above, the microcomputer 132 makes reference to the key inputof the user or presentation duration information, and thus controls theoperations of the track buffer 121 and the switch 120. This sameinformation is used for control of the PTS adder 133.

The PTS adder 133 makes reference to the PTS of the audio data storedtemporarily in the track buffer and thus additionally records a pseudoPTS, which is the same as the audio PTS, into the PES packets of thestill picture data, graphic data, and subtitle data.

The audio PTS separated from the TS DEMUX 121 is routed to the audiodecoder 130, and program clock reference (PCR) information separatedfrom said TS DEMUX is counted by said PCR counter 131. The PCR countvalue is fed into audio decoder 130, and the audio decoder 130reproduces the audio data when the PCR count value coincides with thePTS.

The pseudo PTS separated by the TS DEMUX 121 and the PCR count value arealso distributed to the video decoder 127, graphic decoder 128, andsubtitle decoder 129. When the PCR count value coincides with the pseudoPTS, the still picture data, graphic data, and subtitle data, arerespectively reproduced.

Accordingly, the optical disc apparatus, by making common use of theswitch 120, track buffer 121, and TS DEMUX 122, can normally conductslideshow operations of reproducing a still picture file and audio filerecorded separately in a read-only Blu-ray disc in association with eachother.

FIG. 12 illustrates another detailed embodiment of portions of the datastructure in FIG. 1 and method of managing still images for ahigh-density recording medium. In this embodiment, the still image ismanaged according to playlist mark information in a playlist. Whiledescribed above with respect to the other embodiments of the invention,the use of playlist marks will be further developed in this and theremaining embodiments.

As discussed above and shown in FIG. 12, a playlist mark may be used topoint to a still picture in an A/V stream clip file. This type ofplaylist mark is hereinafter referred to as a still mark, In general, astill image or picture may be reproduced without dependence on otherimages. For example, the still image is encoded as an “I-Picture” incase of an MPEG-2 stream. Accordingly, the still marks point to Ipictures in the A/V stream clip file. However, a still mark is notnecessarily used to point to each and every I picture.

FIG. 12 illustrates two playitems PlayItems #1 and #2 in a playlist.Each playitem provides navigation information (e.g., In-time andOut-time information) on a playing interval from clip. Namely, the firstplayitem PlayItem #1 provides for reproducing a first AV stream AVstream #1 in a first clip, which also includes an associated clipinformation file ClipInfo #1. The second playitem PlayItem #2 providesfor reproducing a second AV stream AV stream #2 from a second clip,which also includes an associated clip information fie ClipInfo #2. Theplaylist includes playlist mark information for three still marks. Twoof the still marks are associated with the first playitem in that thetwo still marks point to two still pictures in the same clip associatedwith the first playitem. The other still mark is associated with thesecond playitem in that this still mark points to a still picture in thesame clip associated with the second playitem.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a portion of a playlist file structureaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,FIG. 13 illustrates the structure of the playlist mark information fieldin the playlist file.

As shown, a playlist file PlayList file (*.mpls) 10 includes a playlistinformation field 211 and a playlist mark information field 212, amongother fields. The playlist file also includes addressesPlayList_start_address and PlayListMark_start_address respectivelyproviding the addresses of the playlist information field 210 and theplaylist mark information field 212. The playlist information field 211defines the playitems and subplayitems of the playlist.

The playlist mark information field 212 includes length information“length” indicating a byte size of the information field, and includesinformation “number_of_PlayList_marks” indicating the number of themarks existing in the playlist mark information field 212. For eachmark, the playlist mark information field 212 provides mark typeinformation “mark_type” indicating the type of the mark, a playitemreference “ref_to_PlayItem_id” indicating the playitem with which themark is associated and time stamp information “mark_times_stamp”indicating a specific reproduction time in the corresponding playitemand therefore the corresponding AV stream to which the mark points.

Returning to the mark type indicator “mark_type”, at least one of themark types is the still mark type. The still mark type indicates thatthat the mark is of a type used for pointing to a still picture. As hasbeen discussed above and will be discussed in greater detail below, amark of this type provides a point to skip to when displaying aslideshow of still pictures. Consequently, marks of this type may alsobe referred to as “Skip-Point” marks.

Below, two cases of still image reproduction will be described. In thefirst case, still images are reproduced as part of a skip operation whenreproducing a movie AV stream and in the second case, still images froma still image AV stream are reproduced to provide a slideshow.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the data structure for managingreproduction of still images during a skip operation when reproducing amovie AV stream. As shown, a playlist includes two playitems PlayItems#3 and #4 and playlist mark information for six still marks. When theplaylist is reproduced, an AV stream #3 is initially reproducedaccording to the navigation information provided by PlayItem #3.

This general reproduction of moving picture data is referred to as the“Movie” state. Accordingly, until a user or a system enters a skipcommand, the playlist is continuously reproduced in the “Movie” state.When a skip command is received, the state switches from the “Movie”state to a “Still” state. In the “Still” state, the first still picturein the A/V streams subsequent to receipt of the skip command isreproduced. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, if the skip command isgenerated at a time between a first still mark “still-mark (1)” and asecond still mark “still-mark (2)”, the still image associated with thesecond still mark is reproduced. The still picture may be reproduced fora limited duration or an infinite duration. This may be indicated in thestill mark information for the still mark by adding an additional fieldor by a predetermined relationship between the duration and the marktype.

When a limited duration is provided, expiration of the display periodresults in the still image indicated by the next still mark beingreproduced. If an unlimited duration is provided, a next still image orprevious still image as indicated by the next or previous still mark isreproduced when a user enters, for example, by key button command ofskip-to-next or skip-to-previous. Operation in the “Still” thencontinues in this manner.

The state of reproduction may be switched from the “Still” state back to“Movie” state when a normal play command is received from the user orsystem.

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 16 illustrate examples of the data structure formanaging reproduction of still images for slideshows. In a slideshow,still images are reproduced from one or more clips possibly along withrelated data such as subtitle and graphic information. Here, the clipsdo not include movie data. Furthermore, audio data may also bereproduced in synchronization with or unsynchronized with reproductionof the still image. For synchronized reproduction of audio data, theaudio data may be stored in the clip with the still images. Forunsynchronized reproduction of the audio data, the audio data isreproduced from a clip that is separate from the clip with the stillimages.

As discussed previously, there are different types of slideshow. Atime-based slideshow is slideshow in which still images areautomatically and continuously reproduced with reference to a playingtime. A browsable slideshow is a slideshow in which a still screen(i.e., a still picture and possibly, related data such as subtitle andgraphic information) is reproduced until user input is received toproceed to a previous or next still image. The browsable slideshow isusually used when a “menu” screen is configured. Until the user selectsa specific item of the “menu”, a menu selection screen (that is, a stillscreen) is continuously reproduced. Generally, audio data iscontinuously reproduced as background sound. Accordingly, the audio datain the browsable slideshow is independently reproduced out ofsynchronization with the still screen. Time based and browsableslideshows will be described in more detail below with respect to FIGS.6A, 6B and 7.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate examples of a time-based slideshow. InFIGS. 15A and 15B, a clip for a time-based slideshow is providedseparately from movie data clips. FIG. 15A illustrates an example wherethe AV stream file for the slideshow includes still images andassociated data (e.g., audio, subtitle graphic, etc.). FIG. 15Billustrates an example where an AV stream file for the slideshowincludes only still images.

Referring to FIG. 15A, the playlist includes one playitem PlayItem #5and playlist mark information for a plurality of still marks. The stillmarks point to respect still pictures in the clip. The clip managed bythe PlayItem #5 includes clip information file ClipInfo #5 indicating anAV stream #5 includes a time-based slideshow. The AV stream #5 includesthe still images and other data associated with each still image. Inthis example, the other data includes audio, subtitle and graphic data.A still image and the other data associated therewith constitutes onestill screen.

In the time-based slideshow, the still screens are automatically andsequentially reproduced at the times indicated by the associated stillmarks when the playlist is reproduced.

FIG. 15B illustrates that the AV stream for the time-based slideshowincludes only the still image. Since the embodiment of FIG. 15B is thesame as the embodiment of FIG. 15A except for lacking the other data, adetailed description thereof will not be repeated for the sake ofbrevity.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a browsable slideshow. As shown, aplaylist provides for play back of a Clip #7 as indicated by a playitemPlayItem #7 concurrently with play back of Clip #8 as indicated by asub-playitem SubPlayItem #8. The playitem PlayItem #7 providesnavigation information (e.g., In-time and Out-time) for reproducing datafrom the Clip #7, which includes a clip information file ClipInfo #7 andan AV stream #7. The clip information file ClipInfo #7 indicates theassociated AV stream #7 includes data for a browsable slideshow.

The AV stream #7 includes three still images and related data (e.g.,subtitle and graphic information) associated with each still image. Asdiscussed above, a still image and the associated subtitle and graphicinformation constitute one still screen referred to as a still pictureunit or browsing unit. Therefore, the AV stream #7 includes threebrowsing units.

The sub-playitem SubPlayItem #8 provides navigation information (e.g.,In-time and Out-time) for reproducing data from the Clip #8, whichincludes a clip information file ClipInfo #8 and an AV stream #8. Theclip information file ClipInfo #8 indicates the associated AV stream #8includes audio data for a browsable slideshow, and the AV stream #8includes the audio data.

When reproduced, the browsable sideshow begins with reproduction of thebrowsing unit 1 specified by a first still mark and the audio data inthe AV stream #8. Further operation is determined by interaction withthe user. If the user does not select to move to a next or previousstill image, the first still screen (“browsing unit”) is continuouslyreproduced. However, if a skip next command is entered, thenreproduction of the second still screen (second browsing unit) asspecified by the second still mark begins. This operation does notaffect reproduction of the audio data, which is independently andcontinuously reproduced until the user chooses to stop the browsableslideshow. The user controls whether reproduction of the next orprevious browsing unit takes place and when by, for example, key buttoninput of a skip-to-next or skip-to-previous command.

FIG. 17 illustrates an optical disc recording and reproducing apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, anAV encoder 18 receives and encodes data (e.g., still image data, audiodata, etc.). A signal processor 13 modulates the encoded data inaccordance with the audio/video format of the optical disk. As shown inFIG. 17, the operations of the AV encoder 18 and the signal processor 13are controlled by a controller 12. The controller 12 receives user inputon the recording operation, and provides control information to AVencoder 18 and the signal processor 13. The controller 12 furthercontrols operation of a microcomputer 16. The microcomputer 16 isdirectly responsible for controlling a servo 14 for an optical pick-up11 and the output of data from the signal processor 13 to the opticalpick-up 11 during a recording operation.

The controller 12 also creates the navigation and management informationfor managing reproduction of the data being recorded on the opticaldisk. For example, based on information received via the user interface(e.g., instruction set saved on disk, provided over an intranet orinternet by a computer system, etc.) the controller 12 controls therecording of one or more of the data structures of the present inventionon the optical disk.

During reproduction, the controller 12 controls reproduction of thisdata structure. Based on the information contained therein, as well asuser input received over the user interface (e.g., control buttons onthe recording and reproducing apparatus or a remote associated with theapparatus), the controller 12 controls the reproduction of data from theoptical disk. For example, as discussed above with respect to theembodiments of the present invention, a still image or still images maybe reproduced in association with audio data based on the navigationinformation. Furthermore, an image or group of images may be reproducedas a slideshow or portion of a slideshow. As also discussed, a slideshowmay be time based, browsable, etc.

The signal processor 13 demodulates the reproduced data. The AV data issent to an AV decoder 17, which decodes the encoded data to produce theoriginal data that was feed to the AV encoder 18. The navigation andmanagement data is sent to the controller 12. During both the recordingand reproducing operations, the microcomputer 16, signal processor 13and the controller 12 may store data in a memory 15.

While FIG. 17 has been described as a recording and reproducingapparatus, it will be understood that only a recording or only areproducing apparatus may be provided using those portions of FIG. 17providing the recording or reproducing function.

As will be appreciated from the forgoing disclosure, the presentinvention provides a recording medium having a data structure formanaging still images recorded on a high-density recording medium (e.g.,a high-density optical disk such as a BD-ROM). For example, the datastructure allows for displaying still images and possibly audio data invarious ways.

The method of managing still images for a high-density recording mediumin accordance with the invention provides various still controloperations and allows effective linked reproduction of still imagesalong with associated subtitle data or graphic images.

As apparent from the above description, the present invention providesmethods and apparatuses for recording a data structure on a high densityrecording medium for managing still images recorded on the recordingmedium.

The above description further provides methods and apparatus forreproducing still images recorded on a high density recording mediumbased on a data structure, also recorded on the high density recordingmedium, for managing the reproduction of still images.

While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. For example, while described with respect to a Blu-ray ROM opticaldisk in several instances, the present invention is not limited to thisstandard of optical disk or to optical disks. It is intended that allsuch modifications and variations fall within the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

1. A recording medium having a data structure for managing a slideshow,the data structure comprising: still pictures used for the slideshow;and at least one playlist including information for at least one mark,the mark pointing to one of the still pictures and used for skippingbetween the still pictures.
 2. The recording medium of claim 1, whereinthe still picture pointed to by the mark is reproduced during indefinitetime.
 3. The recording medium of claim 1, wherein the data structurefurther comprises audio data associated with the slideshow, andreproduction of the audio data is not synchronized with the reproductionof the still pictures.
 4. The recording medium of claim 3, wherein theplaylist including at least one playitem and at least one subplayitem,the playitem providing navigation information for reproducing the stillpicture pointed by the mark, and the subplayitem providing navigationinformation for reproducing the audio data.
 5. The recording medium ofclaim 1, wherein the information includes a playitem indicatorindicating a playitem in the playlist on which the mark is placed. 6.The recording medium of claim 1, wherein the information includes a timestamp indicating a time address of the still picture pointed by themark.
 7. A method of reproducing a slideshow, comprising, checkinginformation for at least one mark, the mark pointing to one of stillpictures used for the slideshow and used for skipping between the stillpictures; and reproducing the still picture pointed to by the mark. 8.The method of claim 7, wherein the still picture is reproduced until auser inputs a command associated with termination of the reproducing thestill picture.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: reproducingaudio data associated with the slideshow, wherein the reproducing theaudio data is not synchronized with the reproducing the still picture.10. The method of claim 7, wherein the reproducing is reproducing astill picture unit, the still picture unit including the still pictureand associated data.
 11. An apparatus for reproducing a slideshow,comprising, a controller checking information for at least one mark, themark pointing to one of still pictures used for the slideshow and usedfor skipping between the still pictures, and controlling the stillpicture pointed to by the mark to be reproduced.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the controller controls the still picture pointed toby the mark to be reproduced until a user inputs a command associatedwith termination of the reproducing the still picture pointed to by themark.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller controlsaudio data associated with the slideshow to be reproduced, whereinreproduction of the audio data is not synchronized with reproduction ofthe still pictures.
 14. A method of recording a data structure formanaging a slideshow, comprising: creating still pictures used for theslideshow and at least one playlist, the playlist including informationfor at least one mark, the mark pointing to one of the still picturesand used for skipping between the still pictures; and recording thestill pictures and the playlist on a recording medium.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the slideshow is a browsable slideshow.
 16. The methodof claim 14, further comprising: recording audio data associated withthe slideshow on the recording medium, wherein the audio data is notsynchronized with the slideshow.
 17. An apparatus for recording a datastructure for managing a slideshow, comprising: a controller creatingstill pictures used for the slideshow and at least one playlist, theplaylist including information for at least one mark, the mark pointingto one of the still pictures and used for skipping between the stillpictures, and controlling the still pictures and the information to berecorded on a recording medium.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, whereinthe slideshow is a browsable slideshow.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17,wherein the controller controls audio data associated with the slideshowto be recorded on the recording medium, wherein the audio data is notsynchronized with the slideshow.
 20. A method of creating a datastructure for managing a slideshow, comprising: creating still picturesused for the slideshow; and creating at least one playlist includinginformation for at least one mark, the mark pointing to one of the stillpictures and used for skipping between the still picture.
 21. The methodof claim 20, wherein the slideshow is a browsable slideshow.
 22. Themethod of claim 20, further comprising: creating audio data associatedwith the slideshow, wherein the audio data is not synchronized with theslideshow.
 23. An apparatus for creating a data structure for managing aslideshow, comprising: a controller creating still pictures for theslideshow, and creating playlist including information for at least onemark, the mark pointing to one of the still pictures and used forskipping between the still pictures.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23,wherein the slideshow is a browsable slideshow.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein the controller creates audio data associated with theslideshow, wherein the audio data is not synchronized with theslideshow.